About US

Texatelier classes are taught by Nikola Orpen supported by her husband, Sean. They live between their off-grid 'Permaculture' homestead and studios in Portugal and a small "Pigeonniere" Studio in Beauville, in SW France.

Homesteading, Gardening and 'Farming', in their case, is non-commercial and a means to an independant self-sufficeincy which permits time and flexibility for teaching and other fine-art activities.

Nikola is widely traveled: North America, India, SE Asia, Russia, West Africa and most of Europe - east and west, she has recently completed a six month period of volunteering with 'United Nations Association International Service' in Burkina Faso.

Nikola Orpen MA PDC

Nikola graduated from Leeds University with an MA in 1994 and holds an honors degree in Fine Art. She undertook her Permaculture Design Certificate in 2012 at Rak Tamachat in Thailand.
Nikola is a practising artist, exhibiting internationally and has her work held in various national collections. She has taught art and textiles for over 35 years in many colleges throughout the Uk and has also worked on community arts projects mainly in Yorkshire and Norfolk, England.